These guides explain how to prepare an application. The original vacancy and its recruitment authority decide eligibility, required documents, selection stages and deadlines. Role suggestions use published job titles and simple matching rules; choose another guide when a title is ambiguous.
Your application, step by step
Identify the appointment type
Distinguish an employed researcher or lecturer from a funded PhD place, scholarship, visiting appointment or support job. Check the discipline, career stage, contract length and whether employment and programme admission require separate applications.
Build the requested academic dossier
Follow the notice’s file list: it may ask for an academic CV, publications, research plan, teaching statement, degree evidence or referees. Mark work as published, accepted or in progress accurately, and explain your contribution to collaborative outputs.
Show fit with the group and post
Read the group’s recent work and the project or teaching brief. Explain a realistic contribution, the methods you can use and why the environment fits your plans. Use a research proposal only when the call asks for one.
Manage submissions and referee deadlines
Check whether referees send letters directly, whether a separate portal is used and which documents need translation. Submit before the local deadline and retain the submitted dossier and receipt.
Prepare for selection
- Prepare a research talk with the question, method, contribution, limitations and next steps.
- For teaching posts, prepare evidence of course design, feedback and support for students.
- For doctoral roles, be ready to discuss the advertised project and what you still need to learn.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every opportunity on a research portal is salaried employment.
- Sending a generic proposal or a full publication archive when the notice requests a tightly limited dossier.
Official guidance
Check the current instructions from the recruiting organisation before submitting.